Teacher Travel Abroad

Hemispheres actively promotes opportunities for K-12 educators to travel abroad to build their own background knowledge and gain invaluable experience overseas. 

Short-Term Teacher Travel

To meet the demand of educators who want a quality travel experience, Hemispheres's centers frequently offer shorter programs abroad that combine an academic approach with a short, intense travel experience.  We try to keep these affordable for educators.  Announcements about funding competitions and grants that support teacher travel can be found on our Professional Development page.

Teacher Spring Break & Summer Trips

Hemispheres' constituent programs have conducted the following programs during Texas's spring break (usually the second full week in March), and during the summer. In addition to visiting sites under the guidance of an experienced, credentialled guide, groups are accompanied by an academic escort from the University of Texas who helps participants process the experience for their classrooms.

Upcoming Trips

Jordan

Summer 2024 (June)
Academic escort: UT Austin Center for Middle Eastern Studies

Program Overview

Explore ancient sights and lost cities, overnight in a Bedouin tent, and dine amidst the dramatic desert scenery of Wadi Rum. Take in Petra’s fascinating history and marvel at its thrilling beauty, and still have a chance to relax in the therapeutic waters of the Dead Sea. This 8-day trip is ideal for the traveler who is short on time but wants to soak up the colors, culture, and history of a country that’s small in size but big in adventure. Visit Jordan with us, all while earning professional development credit with other educators.

GEEO will be partnering with the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Texas. Accompanying the trip will be a representative of UT Austin who will provide guidance to teachers during the trip and help with the development of classroom activities and lesson plans that focus on the historical, cultural, social, political, economic, and environmental aspects of Jordan.

For the complete program announcement, which includes full details regarding the trip, what is included and not included, as well as the registration process, please visit GEEO's website.
 
Please contact Jesse Weisz at GEEO or the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at UT Austin with any questions! 

Nepal & Bhutan

Summer 2024 (July)
Academic escort: Sidra Rind, UT Austin South Asia Institute 

Program Overview

Explore the Himalayas in two amazing countries, Nepal and Bhutan. You’ll take part in the traditions of small Nepalese communities, experience the wildlife and rich biodiversity of Chitwan National Park, and feel Bhutan’s spiritual nature in storied Buddhist temples. This adventure might be big, but the journey won’t ever feel rushed, meaning you’ll have plenty of time to meet local people and embrace their way of life—all while earning professional development credit with other educators.

GEEO will be partnering with the South Asia Institute at the University of Texas. They will help lead a pre-trip orientation meeting. They also hope to send a representative of UT Austin to provide guidance to teachers during the trip.

For the complete program announcement, which includes full details regarding the trip, what is included and not included, as well as the registration process, please visit GEEO's website.

Questions?
 
Please contact Jesse Weisz at GEEO or Sidra Rind at UT Austin with any questions! 

Central Asia

Summer 2024 (July)
Academic escort: Bella Jordan, UT Austin Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies 

Program Overview

This comprehensive 23-day tour will take you through Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, offering a fascinating glimpse of a part of the world most travelers miss. A true crossroads of empires, Central Asia will have your head spinning with insight into the Mongols, the Persians, the Uzbeks, the Russians, and many other cultures. Stay at unique homestays, sleep in traditional yurts, discover the breathtaking mountain and desert scenery, and roam gorgeous buildings built centuries ago. Beyond the incredibly rich historical sites and architectural monuments, this adventure will enlighten your understanding of Islam and also introduce you to the region’s greatest resource: its generous and kind people! Visit Central Asia with us, all while earning professional development credit with other educators.

GEEO will be partnering on this program with UT Austin's Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies. Accompanying the trip will be a representative of UT Austin who will provide guidance to teachers during the trip and help with the development of classroom activities and lesson plans that focus on the historical, cultural, social, political, economic, and environmental aspects of Central Asia.

For the complete program announcement, which includes full details regarding the trip, what is included and not included, as well as the registration process, please visit GEEO's website.

Questions?
 
Please contact Jesse Weisz at GEEO or CREEES at UT Austin with any questions! 

Past Programs:

• Summer Program in India & Nepal, 2023
• Summer Program in Egypt, 2023
• Summer Program in Ireland, 2022
• Summer Program in the Maldives, 2022
• Summer Program in Moorish Spain, 2022
• Teacher's Spring Break in Oman and Qatar, 2019
• Summer Program in India and Nepal, 2018
• Teacher's Spring Break in Morocco, 2018
• Summer Program in Myanmar (Burma), 2016
• Teacher's Spring Break in Moorish Spain, 2016
• Summer Program in the Baltics and Saint Petersburg, July, 2015
• Summer Program in Sri Lanka, August 2015
• Summer Program in Turkey, 2015 (cancelled)
• Teacher's Spring Break in India, 2014
• The Heart of the Silk Route (Uzbekistan), 2013
• Teacher's Spring Break in Peru, 2013
• Teacher's Spring Break in Morocco, 2012
• Teacher's Spring Break in Egypt, 2011 (canceled due to Egyptian revolution)
• Teacher's Spring Break in Egypt, 2010
• Bridge Across Civilizations (Turkey), 2009